Maydena is perhaps the Derwent Valley's most forgotten town. Granted, on the outside, it may seem nothing more than a stopover town in decline, but the little-known Tasmanian town of 198 (2021) is home to Australia's first pedal railway.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Maydena is only accessible by car. It, like many other destinations in the Derwent Valley, are only accessible via the Gordon River Road (B61) from New Norfolk. From Hobart, it's a 75–90-minute drive, while it's a 45-minute drive from New Norfolk. From Mount Field National Park (including the nearby settlement of National Park), it's a 12-minute drive west.
In the rare case you're visiting Maydena from the east, the town is a 60-minute drive from Strathgordon (≈72 km), and a 70-minute drive from Scotts Peak Dam (≈66 km).
Get around
[edit]See and do
[edit]- 1 Railtrack Riders, 3 Mayne Street (head office), ☏ +61 427 206 864, [email protected]. If there's one thing the town probably deserves more spotlight for, it's for being home to Australia's only pedal railway. There are two-, three- and four-seaters available, though the four-seaters are specifically designed with children under 40 kg (88 lb) and under 10 in mind. From Maydena, you can choose to either pedal west to 1 Florentine or east towards Fitzgerald (Pig & Whistle). There is also a station at National Park though it has been temporarily closed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2 Maydena Bike Path, 34 Kallista Rd, ☏ 1300 399 664 (domestic). F–M 8:30AM–5PM. An MTB park with over 73 trails.
- Junee Caves State Reserve is accessible via a short nature trail. While it's relatively off the beaten path, it is home to Australia's deepest cave, 1 Niggly Cave (JF-237).
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Fika Time Cafe/Restaurant & General Store, 38a Kallista Rd, ☏ +61 427 145 015, [email protected]. Th–Tu 9AM–3PM. A licensed venue with some great Australian, Swedish, and Austrian food, in addition to what you'd find at a small town's general store.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Blue Square Maydena Accommodation, 20 Kallista Rd, ☏ +61 402 440 608. Self-catered accommodation. Includes a wood heater.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]Southwest National Park ← | W B61 E | → Mount Field National Park → New Norfolk |